Dont Ruin Your Models Appearance With A Poorly Fitted Halter!!
Youve finally
purchased your favorite stock-horse model...MINT condition...and are ready
to take a show photo. You decide to put a silver show halter on your model...this
simple decision could essentially eliminate your model from the competition
if the halter is not adjusted properly!! Unfortunately, something as easily
changed as the halter-fit can ruin the picture...especially if the halter
hangs loose and gives an overall sloppy appearance!!
How should the halter fit? The halter should conform to the models head...fitting
snugly behind the jaw and under the throatlatch.
a) The noseband should be positioned approximately halfway between the eyes
and the nostrils. Common Mistakes: 1) having the check piece too long...placing
the noseband too low on the models head; 2) the diameter of the noseband
is too small...causing it to remain too low on the horses head.
b) The cheek piece should be parallel to the cheekbone on the horse. Common
Mistake: Having the throatlatch too short...making it impossible to put the
cheek piece in the correct "parallel" position.
c) The crown strap should fit "closely" behind the horses
ears...but not so close as to pinch them!!
d) The connector-strap between the chin strap and the throatlatch should fit
"snugly" along the under side of the models head.
What about chains? Chains over the nose cause the halter to "pop up"
over the ridge of the nose...which detracts from a smooth appearance. If you
insist on using a chain in a "control-type" fashion...it would be
better to run the chain under the chin and up the right side of the halter.
However, in our world of "miniature" equines where "control"
is not an issue, a better choice would be to simply "loop" the chain
portion of the lead shank through the center slot on the chin strap of the
halter and attach the snap to the ring where the chain joins the leather!!
Remember...just because the "proportions" of the halter are correct
for your model...the design may not be the most flattering for your models
head. The thickness of the leather...width of the straps...and placement and
size of the silver give each halter a unique appearance.
NOTE: The trend in "model" showing is NOT to show your "halter"
horses with a halter!!! Halters are reserved for showmanship, halter obstacle,
etc.
All halters model by OJF Ultra Suede owned by Susan Hargrove.
Crown strap is too long and the throatlatch is too short causing...1) the cheek piece to be much to low on the side of the head...and 2) the noseband to be too close to the nostrils! | Adjusting
the crown strap to the proper length corrects the other "fit"
problems with this halter. |
Again...the crown strap has been adjusted much too long...causing 1) the throatlatch and chin strap/throatlatch connector to hang loosely under the head...2) the cheek piece to be out of position and 3) the noseband to be must too close to the nostrils. | Again...just by adjusting the crown strap correctly...all of the other "fit" problems of this halter have been eliminated. |
Another example of the crown piece being adjusted TOO long...causing the halter to detract from the appearance of the model rather than "enhance" it!! | Simply by adjusting the crown piece correctly...the halter now is an attractive addition to the model. |
A lovely halter that is just the wrong size for this model!! The crown strap is adjusted orrectly...but the cheek piece is TOO long...causing the noseband to rest too close to the nostrils. | Another beautiful halter that is not appropriate for this model. There is no way to adjust the straps so the halter will fit the model correctly!! |